MiDerm App Intervention Serves as Beneficial Platform for Adults With Skin Conditions to Find Community, Support

A smartphone app named “MiDerm” may be considered an adjunct to dermatologic care for patients with chronic skin conditions, according to a study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology.¹

The app may support patients with conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo via continued care and allow for better self-management of psychological comorbidities, according to researchers.

Image Credit: © Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com

Background and Methods

It is already well-established that skin conditions share a link with mental health concerns and adverse effects on psychological well-being. High levels of distress in patients with psoriasis may be associated with anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and suicidality, for example.² In vitiligo, the effects are similar, particularly among younger patients and those with darker skin types; anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem are common.³

Particularly among chronic conditions where long-term management becomes crucial, the potential for psychological effects becomes even more so heightened. Social participation may also be inhibited, leading to a greater risk of withdrawal and isolation.⁴

In 2022, authors of the present study published a review on the efficacy of digital technologies/interventions in improving clinical and psychiatric outcomes.⁵ Using this and other supporting data, researchers planned to develop a smartphone app titled, “MiDerm,” aimed at supporting adults living with skin conditions.

Participants aged 18 years and older were recruited via outreach by patient organizations. Volunteers participated in online group interviews which inquired about impact, self-management, and support of skin conditions, while also focusing on perceptions of the digital intervention.

Findings

Forty-three participants, primarily female (69.8%), white (83.7%), and residing in England (67.4%), shared their views through the group interviews. The average age was 44.6 years, with an average duration of 28 years living with a skin condition. The most common conditions reported were vitiligo (27.9%) and psoriasis (25.6%), and the majority were not affiliated with patient organizations.

Participants expressed cautious optimism about the app's potential, emphasizing its ability to centralize resources and provide accessible, ongoing support.

The app was valued for its ability to consolidate information and tools, addressing a gap in psychological and self-care support for skin conditions. However, participants highlighted the importance of tailored content for different levels of need and conditions.

While participants noted its value for adults adapting to late-onset skin conditions, they emphasized the app's potential to instill positive habits in children and young people during critical life transitions.

Participants expressed uncertainty about how the app would differentiate itself from existing health apps and questioned its ability to cater to diverse conditions and psychological needs. They recommended integrating signposts to established psychological support and evidence-based resources.

Additionally, participants identified key psychological needs the app could address, such as understanding their condition (competence), connecting with others (relatedness), and fostering self-management (autonomy).

Participants valued features that clarified links between skin conditions, behaviors, and mental health. They advocated for evidence-based tools to enhance acceptance, reduce stigma, and promote positive body image through approaches like body functionality.

Participants desired practical guidance on coping with their conditions and debunking myths, particularly in areas such as genetics, hormonal influences, and reproductive health. Female participants stressed the need for reliable information about how conditions might interact with life stages like pregnancy and menopause.

Tracking physical and psychological factors was seen as critical for identifying triggers, enhancing consultations, and enabling shared decision-making. However, participants cautioned against potential downsides, such as health anxiety and over-reliance on data.

Despite its promise, the app faced potential hurdles, including user preferences, design considerations, and external pressures.

Participants emphasized that the app's success would depend on its ability to respect personal choice and adapt to individual needs. A non-patronizing tone was seen as crucial.The "look and feel" of the app emerged as an essential factor, with participants urging developers to prioritize user-friendly interfaces and intuitive functionality.

Conclusions

Apps like MiDerm hold promise as adjuncts to traditional care by promoting self-management, improving access to resources, and fostering patient autonomy, according to study authors.

However, their development must prioritize inclusivity, evidence-based content, and adaptability to individual needs. Dermatology clinicians can play a pivotal role in guiding app design, validating features, and incorporating such tools into holistic care strategies..

“This study provides a steer for content and evidence for the prospective acceptability of the MiDerm app as a medium for delivering psychological support to adults with skin conditions, but not as a replacement for face-to-face support,” wrote study authors Hewitt et al. “We have since developed the MiDerm app based on these findings. The next step is to test the effect of MiDerm on health outcomes.”

References

1. Hewitt RM, Dale C, Purcell C, Pattinson R, Bundy C. A qualitative exploration of the prospective acceptability of the MiDerm app; a complex digital intervention for adults living with skin conditions. Br J Health Psychol. 2025;30(1):e12778. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12778
2. Blackstone B, Patel R, Bewley A. Assessing and improving psychological well-being in psoriasis: considerations for the clinician. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:25-33. Published 2022 Mar 25. doi:10.2147/PTT.S328447
3. Salama AH, Alnemr L, Khan AR, Alfakeer H, Aleem Z, Ali-Alkhateeb M. Unveiling the unseen struggles: a comprehensive review of vitiligo's psychological, social, and quality of life impacts. Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45030. Published 2023 Sep 11. doi:10.7759/cureus.45030
4. Tuckman A. The potential psychological impact of skin conditions. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(Suppl 1):53-57. doi:10.1007/s13555-016-0169-7
5. Hewitt RM, Ploszajski M, Purcell C, et al. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:1024879. Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879